Module: CCO4006-20 Digital Visual Design

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor:  Iftikhar Khan

Module Tutor Contact Details: i.khan@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

Digital Visual Design introduces you to the knowledge, skills and practice in visualizing, designing and developing highly contemporary and professional interfaces for all of your working and usable digital artifacts. The aim is to help you enhance the usability, efficiency, and overall user experience and emotional satisfaction of your outputs. 

In an age of ever evolving visual interaction systems such as touch, voice and gesture, digital artifacts are increasingly expected to be clean, minimal and pleasant, well balanced, as well as highly intuitive so that they are readily understood and effectively used by users of all ages and backgrounds. As such, computing professionals are increasingly expected to have adequate training in, and a good sense of, visual design to underpin the usability and success of all of their industrial digital design developments. 

This module serves as a robust foundation that not only supports several upcoming modules, but also all of your future personal and industrial digital developments such as web development, smartphone apps, games development, web apps, media, etc.

2.Outline syllabus

Topics covered in Digital Visual Design include:

•  Introduction to Vision, Visual Culture, Design and Digital Design

•  Interface Design and Visual Design

•  Aesthetics and Usability in Human-Computer Interaction 

•  Elements of Visual Design - Point, Line, Shape, Form, Colour, Texture 

•  Principles of Visual Design - Balance and Symmetry, Visual Hierarchy, Alignment, Emphasis, White Space, Scale & Proportion, Repetition, Contrast Grid System and Composition (text, shapes, backgrounds, images)

•  Typography 

•  Colour Psychology 

•  Web Design - Case Studies, Standards and Trends

•  App Design - Case Studies, Standards and Trends

•  Brand Communication

3.Teaching and learning activities

This is an entirely studio-based ‘hands on’ module that encourages you to explore, play with, and apply visual design principles. Weekly activities and redesign/design projects serve to underpin substantial, lifelong appreciation, and skills in developing usable digital artefacts that are aesthetically appealing and fit for purpose.

Teaching and learning activities will include, but not limited to:

• Design compositions

• Design dissections

• Case studies

• Design projects

• Design critique

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Visual Design Portfolio

• % Weighting: 100%